I have needed many LISP routines over the years and the most bang for the buck comes from the ones that perform little functions that are (for some reason) not part of AutoCAD. In the process I have created many and gotten many from others who have posted them on the web or way back when, on Compuserve (am I dating myself?).
The ones that have served so well have been those small little routines that have fixed something or reduced the number of clicks that I have to do to get something done.
Here are some places to look for AutoLISP code…
http://new.cadalyst.com/code/ – the Cadalyst extensive library
http://www.jefferypsanders.com/autolisp.html – Free stuff
http://home.pacifier.com/~nemi/ – Better than Nothing AutoLisp – has some annoying popups.
http://www.autolisp.com/forum/ – Nice forum of stuff
http://www.afralisp.net/ – Afralisp
And of course the forums on AUGI.com!
You also could start reading up and create your own. It is easy and it is fun.
Autodesk Labs is the new home for prototypes, experiments, applications and technologies. Created by the development teams at Autodesk, technologies include everything from web services to plug-ins to brand new applications.
Your can provide them with feedback to help decide the future of projects.
The site is a collection of public betas or technology preview releases so a non-disclosure agreement is not required. You go and play around and tell your friends and everyone can take a look together.
Check it out at http://labs.autodesk.com/
There are several times in my career that I have felt like I was moving backwards. I have had to re-establish CAD Standards and methods at firms that I had previously worked through the issues. This was most often due to the fact that new hires joined the firm and I had to work through previous issues again to get them up to speed.
Other times I have felt like I was moving forward faster than I expected. This was due to finding kindred spirits in CAD that shared the same perspective that I have about getting things done and organizing the system.
CAD Managers have to deal with moving forward and backwards at the same time. We have to work with those who are slow and those who are fast. We have to work with those who agree with us and those that oppose us.
This is the skill of management. Working effectively with people who may differ from us. Working through tough issues and striving for consensus.
Working ahead and behind is part of the job.
Here are a few tips…
1. Keep looking for common ground. Start from a shared understanding. Even those that oppose you may have something in common with you. If you both want to improve effeciency, then start with that goal in mind and keep it at the forefront.
2. Work with the best and the rest will catch up. Focus your time with the best users. Work through methods with them and then roll them out to others.
3. Pace yourself. Nothing hurts a firm more than a burned out CAD Manager. Work on a few items at a time. Constantly make progress, but don’t burn yourself out.
Every once in a while I stop and think about how much I love the process, production and perspective of CAD. My personality lends itself to organized, defined and process driven work and CAD should be just that.
What I love about CAD is also what I hate at times. Like how flexible some of the tools are and how they can be used in so many different ways. I love the fact that they have open API’s and programming tools. It allows every one to do just what they want to do. The bad part is that it allows every on to do just what they want to do.
Enter the CAD Manager…
The job we have before us is often very tough. Getting everyone to do things the same way is tough. Unifying the process and standards of your CAD environment is not easy, but it is rewarding when you make progress. Dare I say FUN!
Yes – FUN
I find it enjoyable to work through processes in a team environment to push toward a unified perspective where all parties agree that the new process is better than the current state. It may be rare in your firm or it may happen all the time. But when several people agree on a method or a standard, unity prevails and production can move forward.
CAD Manager – job well done!
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In this months issue…
CAD Standards – The Process is as valuable as the Product
CAD Leadership Part 9 – Traits 6 & 7
Survey Says – What features are you using?
Go to the Sept – CADD Manager Journal
You can see and hear the presentations that were given on the web. Bentley has kindly shared the video presentation and information that was presented at this event.
Now Available Online at www.bentley.com/bimsummit
Leading European building industry executives gathered in London to guide each other and the industry. The central topics of this event were chosen in response to critical new BIM initiatives going on world wide.
These leaders in architecture, engineering, and construction shared their organizations
What percentage of your work is Metric?
How well do your users understand Metric files?
How long have you been creating Metric files?
Which do you feel more comfortable with? Metric? Imperial?
I was looking through some boxes of CAD Standards I have. Yes “Boxes” – plural. I have collected CAD Standards over the years and have seen just about everything from “War and Peace” volumes to one page standards.
Now most of these were from clients that I had to follow to work on the projects. Most of them made suggestions and demands that differed from what I was doing internally with my firm. But we all know that if you want the job, you comply. It is part of doing business.
But it did remind me that I want to always include a review of my standard from the perspective of those who have to comply with using it.
I mean from the perspective of your subs or clients. They will have to use your files. They may have to produce files without your custom tools or fancy LISP routines. Can they do it? Have you embedded difficult requirements that cannot be achieved easily without some custom programming? Have you required setups that are hard to do without your version or advanced vertical product?
Keep this in mind when you are reviewing your standard! Not everyone may have your tools or your expertise.
I will be teaching several classes at AU this year. I am looking forward to it. The event just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I have attended just about every one of these since the first one. I missed it one year when they split it up into regional events. I have been teaching at AU since 1997.
If you have not signed up yet – or begged to go. Start begging. You do not want to miss this fantastic opportunity to get top notch training and networking with THOUSANDS of others just like you.
Click here to see full descriptions of my classes
Class Name: CAD Management 2006 – Juggling Chainsaws
Class Type: 1.5hr Class
Class Code: CM12-2
Industry: CAD Management and IT
Level: Intermediate
Date: 11/28/2006
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Class Name: BAD CAD – Working with the Worst
Class Type: 1.5hr Class
Class Code: GD21-3
Industry: General Design and Drafting
Level: All Levels
Date: 11/29/2006
Time: 8:00 am – 9:30 am
Class Name: CAD Leadership 2006 – The Next Step Forward
Class Type: 1.5hr Class
Class Code: CM33-2
Industry: CAD Management and IT
Level: All Levels
Date: 11/30/2006
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Class Name: Destination CAD – An Environment of Success
Class Type: 1.5hr Class
Class Code: CM35-1
CAD Management and IT
Level: Intermediate
Date: 11/30/2006
Time: 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Class Name: Standardize or Die Tryin’
Class Type: 3.5hr Class
Class Code: CM41-2
Industry: CAD Management and IT
Level: Intermediate
Date: 12/1/2006
Time: 8:00 am – 11:30 am
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